The Ham Weblog

The Ham Weblog^TM
December 11, 2000

How was your weekend? I hope you got to do some significant operating--maybe some DX-ing or Contesting--at least some ragchewing, HI! Spent my time trying to figure out just how to get that monofilament up and over the top branches of our Kentucky Coffee tree! Unsuccessfully, I might add! Oh well, if I can get N3AUJ up here with his bow......
Laurel Highlands' Christmas Party was a huge success! Thanks, Lois!!!
Finally, I'll continue my plea: What do you think of The Ham-Weblog? I need your input. PLEASE comment and help make this successful. Comments, suggestions, or a favorite site: Just Email Me.

**Hey, what's up at Kachina?**
As you'd expect, this site is chock-full of reasons why you'd purchase the Kachina 505DSP Transceiver. After all, that is the product manufactured! As a website, this one is well-organized, with Features and Benefits displayed prominently. 505DSP owners can check out latest Software Downloads right up front. This is an extensive, and impressive listing, and includes a Demo package.
Additional pages on this site include: 505DSP Details Accessories Amateur Dealer List Application Notes
That last link, Application Notes, offers loads of info for Kachina owners. Everything from how to match up the 505DSP with your favorite amplifier to RTTY, CW, Using the Automatic Tuner or Using the Heil Goldline Mic. It's pretty exhaustive.

Let's check out Hamtronics.
The site is pretty straight-forward with a simple layout; but, when you try to View the Catalog Online, things get just a little confusing. Once you scroll down and read the little note to view the contents in the left Frame (and scroll down there until products appear there), you start to feel a mite lost. At least I did, but then, I'm usually lost anyway, so Go Figure, HI! Honest, though, I think Hamtronics' cause would be better served by placing the Products Lis in the main Frame, which is larger and would avoid a lot of scrolling. They do have quite a bit to offer.

**Let's check out Hamtronics.**
The site is pretty straight-forward with a simple layout; but, when you try to View the Catalog Online, things get just a little confusing. Once you scroll down and read the little note to view the contents in the left Frame (and scroll down there until products appear there), you start to feel a mite lost. At least I did, but then, I'm usually lost anyway, so Go Figure, HI! Honest, though, I think Hamtronics' cause would be better served by placing the Products Lis in the main Frame, which is larger and would avoid a lot of scrolling. They do have quite a bit to offer.

Need Coax or Ladder-Line? Check out Cable X-Perts.
Yep, there's Jake!! Now, I've checked with these guys from time to time, so I know the site. But, haven't been back here for some time, so let's check it out. Ok, so I didn't see an index or News, but if you go to Site Map, that's just as good. Hmmmmm, looks a bit different from what I recall, but I guess it'll get us around the site. Everything on this page is a link.

Gee, wonder what this New Cable Calculator does?
By Golly! It does just what is promises, HI! Now, that's novel these days, HI! You fill out the online form:

Length of cable run:
Operating Frequency:
Power Range:
Impedance:
Antenna System Type:
With Connectors Installed:

Then, press the "CALC" button and Cable X-Perts figures it all out for you. Neat! Lemmee see, for that double 160m dipole system I'm thinking of.........RATS! I guess I should have read the introduction first; the Calculator is for coax, not open-wire line!!! Well, guess I shoulda figured...open-wire wouldn't need the calculator, just get out the tape and measure the thing, HI!

There are a couple of neat charts to be found at this site. Check out:

Attenuation & Power Rating Chart
Connector Cross Reference

Overall, there's a lot to be had at this site. Enjoy!

**Need Coax or Ladder-Line? Check out Cable X-Perts.**
Yep, there's Jake!! Now, I've checked with these guys from time to time, so I know the site. But, haven't been back here for some time, so let's check it out. Ok, so I didn't see an index or News, but if you go to Site Map, that's just as good. Hmmmmm, looks a bit different from what I recall, but I guess it'll get us around the site. Everything on this page is a link.
Gee, wonder what this New Cable Calculator does? By Golly! It does just what is promises, HI! Now, that's novel these days, HI! You fill out the online form: Length of cable run: Operating Frequency: Power Range: Impedance: Antenna System Type: With Connectors Installed: Then, press the "CALC" button and Cable X-Perts figures it all out for you. Neat! Lemmee see, for that double 160m dipole system I'm thinking of.........RATS! I guess I should have read the introduction first; the Calculator is for coax, not open-wire line!!! Well, guess I shoulda figured...open-wire wouldn't need the calculator, just get out the tape and measure the thing, HI!
There are a couple of neat charts to be found at this site. Check out: Attenuation & Power Rating Chart Connector Cross Reference Overall, there's a lot to be had at this site. Enjoy!

Since ATV's a big part of ham radio, I checked out PC Electronics.
Page 1 is general information about the company and ATV in general. The real meat of the site is on subsequent pages.

For general info on their TC70-20 Transceiver or TVC-4G Downconverter, check Page 2. If you want specifics, you need Acrobat Reader. Then check Catalog 1 for the TC70-20; or Catalog 3 for the TVC-4G.

Some really helpful info is at Page 3: Note: Info is in PDF format. And, I've chosen just a couple of pages.

ATV, Where To Start
ATV Repeater System Design
ATV for Public Service events

Finally, the site has links to a number of ATV groups. Wonder why LHVHFS isn't among them?

**Since ATV's a big part of ham radio, I checked out PC Electronics.**
Page 1 is general information about the company and ATV in general. The real meat of the site is on subsequent pages.
For general info on their TC70-20 Transceiver or TVC-4G Downconverter, check Page 2. If you want specifics, you need Acrobat Reader. Then check Catalog 1 for the TC70-20; or Catalog 3 for the TVC-4G.
Some really helpful info is at Page 3: Note: Info is in PDF format. And, I've chosen just a couple of pages. ATV, Where To Start ATV Repeater System Design ATV for Public Service events Finally, the site has links to a number of ATV groups. Wonder why LHVHFS isn't among them?

Now for the smaller outfits!

Need to learn the code? Here's Morse Express.
Hey, this is a neat little site! Clean design, easy navigation. At What's New, we find no less than 9 pages dedicated in some way to Keys. There're other goodies to be had on this page as well. Go check it out. [One problem I had, though, is that my mouse's scroll wheel seemed intermittant on this page. Actually, not so much intermittant as non-functional in certain spots on the screen. Any ideas???

Keys....keys....and more keys at Mose Keys & Paddles, so if your a Brass Pounder, be sure to check out this page.

Morse Express also offers a Code Tutorial CODEMASTER V as well as M*LOG, a full-featured logging program.

Finally, the site's Electronics, Kits, & Tools page offers access to 7 other suppliers of kits. Definitely worth checking.

**Need to learn the code? Here's Morse Express.**
Hey, this is a neat little site! Clean design, easy navigation. At What's New, we find no less than 9 pages dedicated in some way to Keys. There're other goodies to be had on this page as well. Go check it out. [One problem I had, though, is that my mouse's scroll wheel seemed intermittant on this page. Actually, not so much intermittant as non-functional in certain spots on the screen. Any ideas???
Keys....keys....and more keys at Mose Keys & Paddles, so if your a Brass Pounder, be sure to check out this page.
Morse Express also offers a Code Tutorial CODEMASTER V as well as M*LOG, a full-featured logging program.
Finally, the site's Electronics, Kits, & Tools page offers access to 7 other suppliers of kits. Definitely worth checking.

Here's one I've seen in the ham gear sales business for as long as I can remember, ROSS $$$.
Ross Distributing is a long-time dealer in new and used gear. The page is neat, offering an uncluttered, yet effective "storefront." In addition to listing all the popular brands, Ross also offers Closeout & Hard to Find items.
If you're in the market to buy or trade, I'd definitely give this site a look!

**Here's one I've seen in the ham gear sales business for as long as I can remember, ROSS $$$.**
Ross Distributing is a long-time dealer in new and used gear. The page is neat, offering an uncluttered, yet effective "storefront." In addition to listing all the popular brands, Ross also offers Closeout & Hard to Find items. If you're in the market to buy or trade, I'd definitely give this site a look!

And finally, let's look at W&W Manufacturing Co.
Billed as "U.S.A. Manufacturer of replacement battery packs, inserts, chargers, analyzers, and battery eliminators for the Public Safety, land mobile, amateur radio and cellular industry, W&W's site is under construction. Unfortunately, what at first appears new has apparently been around quite awhile: "(Expect it in Early Y2K!)" Hey gang...we're almost into Y2K+1!!

Be that as it may, there are 2 pages noted as "New":

NiMH Communication Batteries
Ultra High Capacity NiMH Communication Batteries

Well, I have to say that I was disappointed in this site. W&W runs half-page ads in QST, so I figured that the site would be far more extensive. Definitely one of the sites for The Ham Weblog^TM to check again.

**And finally, let's look at W&W Manufacturing Co.**
Billed as "U.S.A. Manufacturer of replacement battery packs, inserts, chargers, analyzers, and battery eliminators for the Public Safety, land mobile, amateur radio and cellular industry, W&W's site is under construction. Unfortunately, what at first appears new has apparently been around quite awhile: "(Expect it in Early Y2K!)" Hey gang...we're almost into Y2K+1!!
Be that as it may, there are 2 pages noted as "New": NiMH Communication Batteries Ultra High Capacity NiMH Communication Batteries
Well, I have to say that I was disappointed in this site. W&W runs half-page ads in QST, so I figured that the site would be far more extensive. Definitely one of the sites for The Ham Weblog^TM to check again.

If you missed earlier editions, check out the Archives

Well, that wraps it up for today. Please, drop me an email and let me know what you think about The Ham Weblog, ok? It's easy; just Email K3LBP!

73 for this time, de K3LBP

The Ham WeblogTM

The Ham Weblog^TM